Nevada County picayune., 1887-06-22
Right and Wrong.
Written for the PIcAYUNg.

] however much mystery may seem to entangle other questions Ill lie, one truth is plain, undenIaoie- good and right, evil and wrong are in the world; and every human soul is conscious by which of these two powers it is being controlled. Wrong is but violation of right; and evil vipIation of good; and notwithstanding all the false opin- ions of men, all the transgresslons against them. all the wicke.lness and dark crimes which have grown out of opposition to them, and all the commercials which have been invented to dtcieve by them, good and right still exist somewhere Ill the world pure, untouched aud unchanged.
 Of all the mysteries in life there is none greater. to me, than that men will follow alter what is wrong and leads down to darkness and death, neglecting the inner, enno- bling principle of lite-that which has power to elevate and raise to a higher, stronger life.
 Every step taken i'll pursuit ot what is right aud good, and every self-denial against evil and wrong
 is step nearer to God-the eter- nal source of all that is pure and true and good and right.
 Men sometimes ignorantly laugh at the idea of religion-re- linking the human soul again to God to that which is true and right, by Gods own revealed plan. The soul is sometimes so complete ly buried in the ashes to which sin has consumed it that there IS scarcely life and strength left to look mp higher.
 Go with me to few of tue sad scenes of earth. The time is night still and beautiful. The moon gives soft, sweet light. The stars, glimmering above, add their peac- ful, silent beauty. But listen. Earth is not in harmony with na- ture. Angry voices and loud blasphemies fill the air. Man is in conflict with man. Strife and anger and hatred are raging. The report of a pistol is heard. The life of one goes out by the hand Oi the other. A sonl enters eterni- ty blackened by all the dark pas sions of evil: aud the peace and : happiness of life goes out of lov. ing hearts on both sides with the heart-rending walls that now fill the air.
 Turn from this to another scene
 In a quiet home the light burns dimly, for the atmosphere IS thick ened with sorrow and heaviness. A fond father, whose last days should be cheered by the children for whom he has toiled a lifetime, sits with folded hands and burden ed heart, listening for the return ing footsteps of a wandering boy who, step by step has commenced to leave the right and follow after wrong. The mother fingers at the window and listens. The sisters start at every sound. Sleep is for cotton. The heavy silence is all most unbroken. Long hours have passed since chapter from the old Bible was read and evening prayers were offered.
 But now he comes; yet with un- steady steps. profaning Gods holy name and uttering threats against the dear ones out of whose hearts he is crushing the light and peace and happiness of life. Methinks this scene over which angels sometimes stop and weep.
 And yet there are such scenes, oh! man. with which you by your influence are helping to fill earth, unless in your inward conscious ness you are earnestly seeking the true meaning of life; and by your outward daily walk you are prov ing to those around that you art decidedly on the side of all that Is right and good and true.
 Contrast a pure, good life with a wicked one and decide what kind of lives you will help to build for eternity.
 LINDA. Prescott, Ark, June l4th, 1887. -